Newcomer Magazine - Relocation, Lifestyle and Living in Atlanta

Aug/Sept 2004

Adventures Await Within Georgia's State Parks
by Joni Stranquest & Lee Valentine Smith

Red Top Mountain State Park and Lodge.

"Newcomers to Atlanta are often surprised to learn what great parks we have," says Kim Hatcher Public Affairs Coordinator with Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites. Unlike many park systems around the nation, Georgia's state parks feature a wide array of amenities and activities. "Our parks are more varied and bigger than other state park systems and we offer a lot more than camping."

Georgia boasts 63 total sites including 48 state parks and 15 state historic sites. More than 80,000 acres are open to public use and accommodations range from primitive campgrounds to lodges to plush accommodations. Overnight reservations may be made via the web at www.georgiastateparks.org or by calling the facility directly.

ON THE WATER
Those feeling landlocked will appreciate sinking their toes in the water at one of the state park system's swimming pools or free admission beaches. Fresh sand-for lounging upon or creating sand castles--is brought in yearly. "It's great to visit the parks and see moms lying out on towels and their kids enjoying the water," Hatcher says. The beaches at Fort Mountain and Vogel are particularly picturesque because there are mountains that surround the beach area. As long as the weather is hot, the beaches are open.

Fort Mountain State Park (706-695-2621), located in Chatsworth has a 17-acre lake with swimming beach and is a great place for fishing. Pedal boat rentals are available seasonally. Other activities include 18 miles of horse trails, 14 miles of hiking and backpacking trails, seasonal miniature golf and 30 miles of mountain biking trails.

Just south of Blairsville is Vogel State Park (706-745-2628), which also offers paddle-boats, fishing and a swimming beach along the 20-acre lake. A pool, 17 miles of hiking and backpacking trails, the nearby Appalachian and Southern Highroads trails make the area popular wi th both land lovers and those who like to spend time on the water. One of the state's oldest and most visited state parks, Vogel is at the base of Blood Mountain in the Chattahoochee National Forest.

At 1,050 acres Unicoi State Park (800-573-9659) in Helen is just a two-mile hike or drive from the Alpine Village of Helen. Fishing docks are accessible, as are seasonal canoe and pedal boat rentals. A 53-acre lake and beach make the perfect place for entertaining and family reunions, thanks to the rentable Beach House with seating for 75, and accommodations that range from tent, trailer and RV sites, to cottages, to a 100-room lodge and conference center. Picnic facilities and tennis courts round out the long list of amenities.

Red Top Mountain State Park and Lodge (770-975-0055) in Cartersville is ideal for swimming, boating, skiing and fishing. Located on 12,000-acre Lake Allatoona, visitors are welcome to bring their own boats or rent one from a nearby marina. Water access is available via ramps and docks. Another great spot for gathering with friends and family, a paved trail behind the Lodge is fitting for wheelchair and strollers. Access to the seasonal swimming beach is complimentary, but swimming pool admission is valid for lodge and cottage guests only.

PARKS "FORE" GOLF
Check out www.golfga.org for a list of State Park golf courses. "Often, people think public courses are not well kept or maintained but that's not the case with Georgia's State Park courses," Hatcher explains. "The Meadow Links at George T. Bagby State Park was named as the sixth best, affordable public course in the United States according to Golf Digest."

Black Rock Mountain State Park.

Touting eight picturesque courses, scattered throughout the state, The Creek at Hard Labor is the closest to Atlanta, but Hatcher says it's definitely worth the drive to play some of the other courses. Two courses, Little Ocmulgee and George T. Bagby are destination spots perfect for spending a weekend. "Package deals which include lodging are a lot less expensive than those offered at a private course," she says.

The Creek at Hard Labor (706-557-3006) is located in Rutledge, less than an hour east of Atlanta and just past Covington off I-20. Highland Walk at Victoria Bryant State Park offers 18-holes of play southwest of Lake Hartwell in Royston.

East of Athens, in scenic Elberton, the sprawling Richard B. Russell State Park (706-213-2045) offers some of the state's best fishing, boating and recreation-on an impressive 26,500-acre lake. With the recent addition of Arrowhead Pointe golf course, the park boasts one of the top championship courses in the region. Ten of the 18-holes dot the striking shoreline of Lake Richard B. Russell. For some different putting fun, the Russell course also features an area for a game of the challenging "Disc (a.k.a. Frisbee) Golf."

Southwest Georgia accommodates the aforementioned George T. Bagby State Park (229-768-2571). On Lake Blackshear, the Georgia Vets Memorial Golf Course is located in the same park as a museum with aircraft, armored vehicles, uniforms, weapons and other items dating from the Gulf to the Revolutionary War. The park is on the path of the SAM Shortline Excursion Train that runs from Cordele to Plains.

Conveniently located near Highway 441 in McRae, Little Ocmulgee Park (229-868-7474) features a wide variety of amenities. Golfers can hone their playing skills on the exigent 18-hole Wallace Adams Course, complete with clubhouse, golf pro, unlimited weekday play and junior/senior discounts. Fishermen will enjoy the park's 265-acre lake with expansive swimming beach. Nearby, the Oak Ridge Trail winds through oaks and pines toward boardwalk and a buzzard roost. The newly renovated lodge offers comfortable hotel-style guest rooms, roomy meeting facilities and a restaurant that overlooks the golf course.

Beware of the alligators at The Lakes within Laura S. Walker State Park (912-287-4900) in Waycross. This unique area features a natural beauty that is very rare in golf courses today. The design preserves much of the region's natural beauty by using native sand for the many traps and waste areas. Greens undulate naturally instead of the standard tiered approach. Each fairway and landing area is defined with gentle, links-style mounds that accent The Lake's namesake, three large lakes. The course is so beautifully preserved and so close to the Okefenokee Swamp that it's not unusual to see the occasional alligator policing the waterways, offering an interesting incentive to keep the ball on the fairway.

Brazell's Creek at Gordonia-Alatamaha State Park (912-557-7744) in Reidsville features a pro shop, unlimited weekday play and junior/senior citizen discounts. Gordonia-Alatamaha's unusual name comes from a marriage of the historic and now nearly extinct Gordonia tree, coupled with the original spelling of the nearby Altamaha River.

CAMPING ALTERNATIVES
Don't have camping gear? That won't stop you from enjoying high-class camping at the Bobby Brown State Park (706-213-2046) in Elberton. The park is home to a Yurt Village-permanent round, wood and canvas tents. There are five of them available for rental along the lake

"It's like fancy camping," Hatcher says. "Yurts are being built in state and national parks out west and they're a fairly new concept in Georgia." The furnished Yurts are 20 feet in diameter, with a wood lattice frame and tongue and groove pine floors. Electric heat, ceiling fans, electrical outlets, a front and rear deck and outdoor cooking and dining area assures some luxuries of home, without totally roughing it.

Victoria Bryant State Park.

PICNICS GALORE
Get out of the city and explore Georgia's southern-as well as northern-state parks for some great spots to picnic. Less than 90 minutes south of Atlanta lies the town of Warm Springs, which offers an assortment of interesting activities suitable for nature lovers and history buffs alike. The lovely, Appalachian terrain reveals mountainous peaks where the sky kisses mountains in the distance and the horizon appears unobstructed. High atop Pine Mountain (within the F.D. Roosevelt State Park) lies the picturesque view that once inspired Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 32nd president of the United States. He claimed Dowdells Knob, a flat jut of land on Pine Mountain as his favorite picnicking spot.

Watson Mill Bridge State Park (706-783-5349), just west of Athens in Comer, provides a lovely spot for streamside picnicking. Lie in the grass and look up at the Riverburch trees and let all your cares melt away. For picnicking, canoeing and camping, check out George L. Smith State Park (478-763-2759) in middle Georgia. The black, swampy water reflects illumination of the cypress and tupelo trees, Spanish moss hangs from branches, and there's a dam, mill and covered bridge for visual enjoyment. The park is located approximately three hours from Atlanta, just north of Swainsboro and Metter in the town of Twin City.

Georgia's State Park systems offer something for everyone to enjoy-whether one prefers sport or simple relaxation. We challenge you to visit each of Georgia's State Parks and Historic sites to learn more about our state and relish in our spectacular natural resources.

To find the location for the parks mentioned in this article, look at page 53 for a comprehensive Georgia map guide. For more information on Georgia's State Parks or to find the park that best fits your needs call 800-864-7275 or visit www.gastateparks.org.